There is only love

Source: Living City

Not too long ago, I was reading before going to bed when I came across a phrase that reminded me so much of the Art of Loving, “There is only love.” I feel it’s a sentiment Chiara Lubich could have expressed herself. And upon reading it, I even imagined her referencing it during at least one of her many moments speaking with the youth, as a sort of concluding nugget of wisdom or food for thought. C’è solo amore — there is only love.

It’s amazing how such a little notion could hold such truth. For in the end, what holds more value than love? Ultimately, it’s perhaps even invaluable because after all God is love (1 Jn 4:8). And so, at 1 a.m. in the morning, a million thoughts were flooding my mind. Was I really living this? Or had I strayed away from the basics?

For the next couple of days, I waited for the opportunity to live the notion concretely. The moment came when I began my new job. My first day of training was sort of informal, as the lead trainer was busy for the week, so I was assigned to a seasoned associate. It went smoothly, but before parting ways he warned me that the lead trainer was taxing to work with because of her difficult personality.

Inspired by remembering there is only love, I welcomed the challenge of working with her. Fortunately, with a retreat that weekend I returned home feeling refreshed. I showed up to work the following day and was eager to begin my encounter with this “difficult personality.” The day went more than well, and she was actually extremely helpful. I was pleasantly surprised that not once had I found her to be difficult. I’d like to think it’s because I came with the right attitude. My perception of her would likely have been different had I carried on like she was just somebody I couldn’t wait to get away from.

That was a few weeks back, and since then we have had our disagreements. But, I’ve never allowed any tension to stop me from seeing her with new eyes. And it’s really quite easy, as long as I remember that in the end, there is only love.

Josef Capacio, 22, San Diego